EBM Day #2: Library Research

Despite all the library sessions we had throughout undergraduate, I still find myself struggling with navigating all the available resources when doing a literature search. After this session, I feel more comfortable with finding what resources would be most appropriate for the clinical question given. As I am not tech-savvy at all, I will aim to become familiar with one database for my primary literature searches (e.g. MedLine).

Systematic approach:

Obtain demographics of requestor

Obtain background information for the situation

Determine and categorize the ultimate question

Develop strategy, conduct search

Critically evaluate information

Formulate and provide response

Follow-up, document.

Some pearls and guidelines to searching:

Start general and then go more specific
(e.g. tertiary → primary)

Purpose of MeSH terms: ↑ specificity and relevancy of results

In order to find hallmark trial (e.g. finding all the analysis of it but can’t find original trial), sorting by date can help

US based but includes international clinical pharmacy guidelines, provides summary and links to full guideline, search by keyword, many filters in advanced search, FDA warnings mentioned, may be useful when local or national guidelines are not available